Book cover of I Know How She Does It by Laura Vanderkam — critical summary review on 12min

I Know How She Does It

Laura Vanderkam

9 mins

“I Know How She Does It” contains specific techniques that will enable you to make the ultimate balance between your work, family time, and pleasures. The author has conducted detailed research on the daily schedules of women who make at least $100,000 a year. She explains that you can have time for everything by creating a detailed daily schedule.

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Who it is for

Best suited for women trying to find the time to enjoy their life and work without excluding their decent amount of sleep.

Key Insights

The Power of Micro-Scheduling

Laura Vanderkam emphasizes the importance of breaking down your day into small, manageable blocks of time. By micro-scheduling, successful women are able to allocate specific periods for work, family, and personal pursuits, ensuring that each aspect of their lives receives the attention it deserves. This granular approach helps in minimizing time wastage and allows for a more balanced and fulfilled lifestyle. Through detailed research, the author illustrates how these women achieve remarkable productivity and satisfaction by meticulously planning their daily activities.

Quality Over Quantity in Family Time

One of the key insights from 'I Know How She Does It' is the focus on the quality of family interactions rather than the quantity. The book reveals that high-achieving women often dedicate specific, intentional moments to family activities, ensuring that these interactions are meaningful and enriching. By prioritizing quality time, they nurture stronger relationships without feeling the pressure to spend excessive hours, thereby maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This approach challenges the traditional notion that more time equates to better relationships, offering a more practical perspective for busy professionals.

Redefining Success Through Personal Pleasures

Vanderkam's research highlights that successful women redefine what success means by incorporating personal pleasures into their daily routines. The book suggests that these women do not view leisure activities as a luxury but as a necessity for a well-rounded life. By scheduling time for hobbies, exercise, and relaxation, they not only recharge their energies but also enhance their overall productivity and happiness. This redefinition of success encourages a shift in mindset, where personal fulfillment is seen as an integral part of professional achievement, rather than being at odds with it.

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About the Author

Laura Vanderkam is a supermom who writes books about time management and productivity. She often appears in publications like The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, The New York Times, and Fortune. Her blog posts at LauraVanderkam.com inspire many women to spend more time on things that make them feel happier and more alive. Her TED talk, “How to Gain Control of Your Free Time,” has been viewed more than 5 million times.

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Lessons

  • How many hours a week an average working mom spends at her job.
  • How much difference there is between breaks and interruptions.
  • How to better manage your meetings.

Key Takeaways

  • Prioritize your time by creating a detailed daily schedule that includes work, family, and personal pleasures to achieve a balanced lifestyle.
  • Analyze and learn from the routines of successful women who manage high-earning careers alongside their personal lives for practical time management strategies.
  • Understand that you can make time for everything important by being intentional and strategic about how you allocate your hours each day.

More knowledge in less time

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